Best Camera(s) Options for $700 Budget

[hanas]

Good Morning,

My wife and I are expecting our first child in August and of course want a camera to capture all of the moments. Currently, I'm not huge into photography but want something decent and looking to spend no more than $700, if possible.

What camera (or cameras) would you suggest for this price range? Eventually, I would like to use this camera for cool tank shots as well (sps, zoa's, etc.)

Thanks,

Tom

 

[3dees]

I would look at the lower end DSLR kits from Canon or Nikon. they usually come with two zoom lens.

 

[installman]

That or one of the higher end p+s from cannon or nikon if you don't want to get into buying multiple lenses and don't want the weight/hassle of a dslr and multiple lenses to carry around.

 

[hanas]

I was looking at the Nikon D3200 that comes with 18-55 and 55-200 lenses. Is that a good choice? It's a $529.00.

 

[Allmost]

go with canon T2i or T3i ...

if I were u Id goto one of those specialty stores, hold different brands and see which one u like more ... then hunt down a deal form Best buy or something for a package with a couple lenses.

 

[installman]

I was looking at the Nikon D3200 that comes with 18-55 and 55-200 lenses. Is that a good choice? It's a $529.00.

I own that camera and both of those lenses. I personally am very happy with it. One thing though the 3xxx and 5xxx series nikons do not have a built in focus motor meaning the lens has to have a built in focus motor for autofocus to work. The 2 lenses in the kit you are talking about have built in focus motors so you will be ok there, but when you decide to buy a macro lens be prepared to manually focus (my preferred method) a less expensive older lens, or pay a little more for a lens with built in focus motor. I can't say anything good or bad about the cannons as I have no experience with them.

 

[burnah]

i would go with an olympus micro four thirds, pen or omd. way smaller than DSLR, great choice of lenses and great image quality.

greetings martin

 

[FastUno]

1) Get a used Canon 40d & you can get one for less than $200. Use the rest of the money on lenses & canon lenses hold their value! Get a used lens & resell when needed & you will get your money back.

2) Get the new Sony A6000 camera that is $700 & comes with lens. These are the new breed of mirrorless cameras. Here is a review of it with sample pictures.
http://www.dpreview.com/products/sony/slrs/sony_a6000

I just posted a pic from the camera in this forum.

 

[NTP66]

There is a long thread in the Lounge on this very topic that you may want to read through: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2409366

Don't buy any brand over another until you've had a chance to physically hold the cameras and see how they felt in person first.

 

[CoralReeForrest]

There is a long thread in the Lounge on this very topic that you may want to read through: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2409366

Don't buy any brand over another until you've had a chance to physically hold the cameras and see how they felt in person first.

Hey I know that thread! Lmao, there's a ton of great advice from folks with some experience to folks who have treasure troves of knowledge. Really seems to depend on what kind of photography you want to do. If you want to just get cute shots of the kiddo and take family portraits you may be better off to getting a nice point and shoot, if you're more interested in takin more then that then you may want to look into the dslr ranges.

 

[Stbobo]

Hey I know that thread! Lmao, there's a ton of great advice from folks with some experience to folks who have treasure troves of knowledge. Really seems to depend on what kind of photography you want to do. If you want to just get cute shots of the kiddo and take family portraits you may be better off to getting a nice point and shoot, if you're more interested in takin more then that then you may want to look into the dslr ranges.

+1
I own a Canon D3 Rebel and purchased it a few years ago and honestly Ive stopped using it. There is so many functions and options it tends to be easier to just use a point and shoot everyday then lug around a camera and 4 lenses to get the shots I want. To each his own, but plan on spending quite a bit of time in trial and error if you're not just stuck on auto mode with these DSLR's.

 

[dom418]

I Am in your same boat OP. My little guy will be here in about a month. You can't go wrong with Nikon or Canon. I was recommended the Canon T3i by many professionals. Lens selection is more important than the body I believe and I'm not a fan of the "kit" lenses. Save money and buy the body only with a 50mm f1.4 lens. It's great for portraits.

Go to best buy and see which brands feel the best in your hands and go from there. They all take great pictures.

 

[faithenfire]

i am a fan of rebels for people who want a little more than a point and shoot.
they are smaller and lighter than the pro series. they fit most lenses in the canon family.

go to a store and see what ones work best for you. i don't like the set up of nikon. canon's back makes more sense to me. ditto for the menus.

 

[jmsilhy]

I'm in the same situation and while I'm trying out a few different ones (borrowed a Nikon 3100 for now), i might be leaning towards this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DSC-RX100M-Cyber-shot-Digital-Camera/dp/B00K7O2DJU

 

[Scorpius]

I like my Nikon D700. :lmao:

 

[xtm]

A few years ago, if you wanted good image quality, you go with a DSLR. That's not the case anymore. Now we have mirrorless and other types of compacts that are good alternatives to the big, bulky DSLRs. Go to the store or borrow a friend's mirrorless and DSLR and decide which one you will feel comfortable using in the long run. DSLRs are much easier to hold but much bulkier. Mirrorless are small but their ergonomics are not the best.

Canon vs Nikon...pffft just make a selection. Both will be good. At this (entry) level body, I doubt it will make a difference. Pick one that you think you will enjoy more. Fanboys will defend their brand selections but remember that in the end, it's the image that matters.

 

[Scorpius]

A few years ago, if you wanted good image quality, you go with a DSLR. That's not the case anymore. Now we have mirrorless and other types of compacts that are good alternatives to the big, bulky DSLRs. Go to the store or borrow a friend's mirrorless and DSLR and decide which one you will feel comfortable using in the long run. DSLRs are much easier to hold but much bulkier. Mirrorless are small but their ergonomics are not the best.

Canon vs Nikon...pffft just make a selection. Both will be good. At this (entry) level body, I doubt it will make a difference. Pick one that you think you will enjoy more. Fanboys will defend their brand selections but remember that in the end, it's the image that matters.

Canon vs Nikon. Jebao vs Vortech hmmmmmmmmmmmm................:lmao:

 

[faithenfire]

they have different set ups. i don't find the nikon interface intuitive. other people feel the same of the canon. it has nothing to do with fanboys. (same way with adobe and corel. adobe did not make any sense to me. corel did. guess which i use)
this is why it's good to go and hold the camera.

 

[triggreef]

Not much experience here but I like my Canon t3i & it is user friendly. If you grab a 100mm macro 2.8 lens that's all you need. The lens is more than the camera though. You can find a used lens on eBay for about 300. I got mine for 250 but I am a heck of an ebay sniper.